Give Me Some of that Wild Salt Air : Mixed Media Layout
Couch Talk
The most significant thing to happen this last week was finding my lost moisture meter. I purchased it from Amazon and it is a fabulous tool for keeping in touch with my plant’s soil needs. I lost it for several weeks and was going to purchase a new one but Hubby found it in a place I had looked more than once. Ugh! So frustrating that I overlooked it but I am so happy to have it back. It takes the guessing out of knowing when to give my plants a drink.
We have had a lot of rain and I am playing the waiting game for when to plant my flower bulbs. I am trying to wait until the frost is over and I am getting antsy to visit the greenhouse for the rest of my plants. This year I am hoping to add a few elderberry bushes so I can use my own berries to make elderberry syrup. I have been buying dried elderberries but they can be pricey.
Baking Class
Oatmeal Cream Pies are a favorite in our house. We used to buy a box of Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies when we went on vacation. Nothing says game night like snack double stuffed oreos, chips and oatmeal cream pies. Our diet has changed a lot since those days because now those kinds of things go straight to our mid-section. Hence, we only eat these sweet treats occasionally, with the exception of the past few months. When searching for a new bake this week, I decided to be nostalgic and try these yummy pies. The filling is a vanilla buttercream sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies.
Who doesn’t like donuts? I have been eyeing all the mouth-watering instagram photos of donuts as of late and I had intentions of making some for the first time. I had a full day planned today but got side tracked when my middle son asked if we could make donuts. I did a quick search for baked donuts and found this recipe.
My little baker learned how to knead dough today as well as how to proof yeast. Once he got the hang of kneading he did a great job and asked to learn how to make sourdough bread. He rolled and cut the dough out and I baked, glazed and filled the donuts. Plus two loaves of sourdough had me spending most of the day in the kitchen. Our house is smelling great at the moment. As you can see, we have several varieties of donuts- glazed, glazed with sprinkles, glazed with apricot filling and glazed with strawberry filling.
Creating the Layout
Wild salt air reminds me of vacation at the beach, of which I am very much looking forward to this year. Problem is, our vacation is scheduled for June. We are not sure if it is going to work out for this year but a girl can hope.
I made this layout last year for StencilGirl, but I didn’t share it here on my blog. Since I have been low on creative mojo the last few months, I have decided to share some design team projects.
I used StencilGirl stencils for every embellishment on this layout. Everything was colored using PaperArtsy Infusions, Dylusions sprays and Lindy’s sprays.
I love that these stencils are so versatile and can be used for more than just backgrounds.
Tea Day
I am joining the tea ladies over at Elizabeth and Bleubeard‘s. Today’s tea is Yunnan Longrun Pu-erh Tea Cake -Dali(Year 2010,Fermented. I am very excited to try one of these fermented tea cakes but they are a bit pricey so I have been holding off. I am thinking about splurging on one of these because I have gone through most of the teas in my stash that I enjoy. Thank you quarantine!
So, have you tried one of these fermented tea cakes?
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Hi Kate, I love that you and your children are baking together-my fondest memories are baking at home with my Mom and sister, and making all sorts of the things in the kitchen with my Grandma on her farm–your donuts look awesome I have donut pans that I should dig out and look for a gluten free recipe.
love your art piece with the stencils
Happy T wishes Kathy
Hi Kate, your baking looks delicious, glad you have capable assistants to help you prepare and eat! The journal page is gorgeous, love the extravagant texture. Happy T Day, stay safe, Valerie
I have two of these darn things and they don´t work or I´m too dumb – they were cheapies, I reckon it´s the first! The plants have to tell me themselves…
Huh, sweetness overload! LOL.
I´d even rather go for white fish and I hope your vacation will not be cancelled! We didn´t even dare to book yet. Crazy times.
Enjoy your tea and cake, don´t wait! And no, I never even heard of this.
A happy T-day to you!
Lovely artwork and photos. Your cooking creations look delicious. Now I’m craving those oatmeal cream pies and donuts. Happy T-Day!
I’m with Iris. I have one of those meters, too. Mine is gray, not green, but looks exactly like yours. I used to use mine, but with my herbs all going outside, I can’t control the amount of rain they get, so haven’t used mine in years. glad your husband found yours.
Your little baker helper must be a joy. It sounds like he is taking after his mother in the kitchen.
Your art is beautiful today. I’ve seen it before (not on your blog), but it’s fun to see it here.
WOW, that is EXPENSIVE tea. I’d never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing your art, your baking, and your tea with us for T this Tuesday, dear.
Wild salt it is a gorgeous spread. I would like to go walk the beach. Beaches closed. So your art will have to do. And those donuts looks yummy. I think you might have a junior pastry chef in training. But its such a fun thing to do with kids. Have a super t day.
Baking with the children sounds a perfect way for you all to enjoy some time together. The donuts and cookies looked delicious.
Its a fabulous journal spread as well, I love how you add so many interesting layers.
Happy T day wishes Kate.
Stay safe
Yvonne xx
Great that you are able to bake with your children! These are things they will remember when they grow up.
Who doesn’t like donuts? Well, I don’t I’m afraid. I don’t like anything deep fried as I don’t like the greasy taste. Baked donuts. Now, I’ve not heard of those. Here they only have deep fried donuts, so perhaps I will try one of your donuts (if your kids don’t mind). They look delicious I must say.
A moisture meter sounds a very handy thing. But I suppose you would have to know how much moisture a particular plant needs. My christmas cactus is turning red, which means it’s not happy. Is it not happy because I under water it or because I over water it? Difficult to say.
Your sea salty page has made me think of holidays too. Our son and his family were coming at the end of august (for the first time) to spend a week with us. But they have cancelled their flights. We are disappointed. He could have waited. Our own holiday plans are up the shoot too. (as is half the world’s)
I am fascinated by that tea. I have never tried it and the price is eye watering. I read a little bit about it and it sounds like a good investment, as it is good for your health and tastes mellow and it goes a long way according to those who have bought it. Tell us what you think. And if there is a special way of preparing it.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
That moisture meter is something I could use since I have such a hard time keeping any plants alive – at least in the house. Give me that salt air- YES please!!! We already had one beach trip cancelled and we are waiting to see what will happen for our next planned trip which is the beginning of June. I need to see the ocean…your mixed media art is gorgeous- you always put so much detail and layering in which I love.
And how wonderful to keep family baking! They still have Little Debbies available in our area. Son’s and hubby’s faves were the chocolate chip cookie ones with the creme in the middle;)
I have never had a fermented tea cake but I’d be willing to try it. let us know if you liked it or not. keep well, keep baking, and happy T day!
Very colorful art and it sure does evoke the seaside. My goodness, your donuts look so professional. I’ve not tried the tea you mentioned so if you do buy and try it be sure to let us know.
Glad your plants are doing well, I’ve never heard of a water meter and think if I had to look after the plants rather than my hubby I would need one of these too, as I tend to kill them with love … lol 😉. All your bakes looks so yummy, so nice that your kids are enjoying baking too! Your pages look magical I love the images with the gold with the green and blue colours, they look so rich and opulent – beautiful! Wishing you a very happy T Day! Keep well! Hugs, Jo x
The donuts look awesome, Kate. Kudos to the bakers!
Gorgeous beachy pages. Fingers crossed for your June beach getaway.
Happy T-Day! Eileen xx
We have a trip planned for June too that I’m thinking might not happen ~Your little baker did an amazing job! those donuts look terrific. Your pages are great, with bright and happy Sea images. I’ve never had or even heard of a fermented tea cake ??! so I say yes! try it and let us know what you think. ~Blessings and Mojo wishes ~
I wish I had sun enough to plant berries. How delightful! The treats look delicious and pretty, too 🙂 I like the depth your art has. I’ve heard of the tea cakes but never had one. I look forward to hearing what you think. Happy T Tuesday!
Himself just bought a meter like that as a Happy Birthday present for Himself! All those delicious goodies. I’m dying. 😋 I’ve been making elderberry syrup and we were also thinking of planting elderberry bushes., too. Your sea pages are wonderful. When our state opens up and probably in the Fall when the coastal areas aren’t so crowded, we found a long weekend driving trip to see the lighthouses in MA. Take care and Happy T Day
Hi Kate, you certainly made my mouth water with those delicious looking donuts and cookies, I looked at a recipe for them but then saw you had to fry them so didn’t bother. I’ve just made a Butterscotch Tart, we had some cookies left that we decided not to eat!! so I thought I would use them up instead of a pastry base.
I love Elderflower cordial, my DIL got me into it, it’s lovely in sparkling water or in a glass of white wine, sounds lovely the cordial you are going to make, it’s always feels good when you make stuff yourself.
Have a great weekend
Jan x
Ohh Your berries look so pretty, sure you´ll do good syrop kate ! Your Layout is Amazing !! Love the wonderful layers you have created, and the fishes and all the embellishments are simply Gorgeous ! Great colours and details.
Your donuts and the cookies may be delicious, wish you spent a very nice T-day (dorry I´m late visiting)
Have a nice evening, stay safe, and
Big hugs, Caty
Oooh! Sweet treats – not so many for me though, just looking at those yummy donuts that you and your son made have raised my glucose levels I’m sure! I love the sea pages, those fish look amazing! I think I should use one of those moisture meters – I often over water my plants! Have a good week and try not to think about holidays just yet! Belated Happy T day! Chrisxx